Belgium: Support of PFLP linked NGOs

Note: Belgian newspaper L'Echo published an article on the NGO Monitor report.  It states that a source close to DGCD (the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation) stressed, unsurprisingly, that this case and the NGO Monitor report should be viewed with "caution".  Obviously they know better!  Or don't care!

Via NGO Monitor:

In 2015-2018, the Belgium government (Directorate-General for Development Cooperation; DGD) provided €109.08 million in aid to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Of this, approximately €18.9 million (17.2%) was provided to “NGOs and Civil Society.”

According to DGD, “recognized [Belgian] NGOs” provide funding to local NGOs through “co-financing programmes,” where DGD provides up to 85% of the total grant.

In the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict, many Belgian-funded NGOs promote delegitimization and anti-Israel narratives, including promoting lawfare and BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) campaigns. Some of these groups also have ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), designated as a terrorist organization by the EU, US, Canada, and Israel.

Palestinian NGO Staff Arrested as Part of PFLP-Terror Cell

On December 19, 2019, the Israel Security Agency (Shabak) announced it had uncovered a 50-person PFLP terror network operating in the West Bank. The Shabak published pictures of weapons and bomb making materials confiscated during these raids.

Among those arrested were individuals allegedly responsible for the August 23, 2019 bombing attack in which 17-year-old Rina Shnerb was murdered, and her father and brother were injured.

Large PFLP terror network exposed in Judea and Samaria

The Shabak statement named multiple leading PFLP figures, several of whom currently or previously worked in senior positions for Palestinian NGOs. Critically, these included NGO accountants and financial directors, responsible for handling grants from foreign governments. Some of these NGOs receive funding from Belgium. For example:

- Samer Arbid (UAWC): According to Israeli security officials, on August 23, 2019, Samer Arbid commanded a PFLP terror cell that carried out a bombing against Israeli civilians, murdering 17-year old Rina Shnerb, and injuring her father and brother. According to the Shabak, Arbid prepared and detonated the explosive device. (See below for details of Belgian funding).

- Walid Hanatsheh (HWC): Alleged leader of PFLP “military” operations, who commanded Arbid. According to an Israeli media report, Hanatsheh bankrolled the August 23 bombing. (See below for details of Belgian funding).

- Abdul Razeq Farraj (UAWC): According to his indictment, authorized the August 23, 2019 bombing. (See below for details of Belgian funding).

- Itiraf Hajaj (Rimawi) (Bisan): According to the Shabak, responsible for PFLP clandestine operations. (See below for details of Belgian funding).

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